Antipasto

After the stunning finale of Season 2 I was very curious to see, if they managed to sustain the intense psychological drama and aesthetic imagery as well as finally getting to know what fate some of the characters have met after the events of the last episode.

Compared to Season 2 the focus has, at least for this episode, shifted towards a slower pace, more close-up and slow-motion shots, which are outstandingly appealing to the eye. Even though a little slower, they managed to maintain a suspenseful and dark atmosphere. – Besides grotesque yet brilliant imagery, it offers new insights into characters and concocts a toxic mix of abuse, power, and morbid fascination, ready to reach boiling point.

While it lays bare pieces of the past many cliff-hangers remain unresolved, which are, however, prone to be answered very soon as the storyline converges in Italy. After this I am certainly looking forward to seeing how this new plot line unravels and how the old questions are answered. All in all it was a very good start into this season and it certainly laid the foundation for the episodes to come – it was a tasty Antipasto, there to leave you hungry for the rest of this Italian meal.

I love that i get to see what lead up to all the Hannibal movies and how they reached and shaped each character

Fantastic season. We see Hannibal in the wild, and his further entanglement and fascination with Will. Also the negative review of this season is the worse review I've ever read of anything in my life. It's too bad Hannibal doesn't exist so he could eat this reviewer.

Did not overly enjoy this episode. An initial meeting at a Parisian party that seemed to not fit with the story. The pay off conveniently shoe horned in later within the same episode.

This episode seems more visual than and less mentally stimulating. Overly lingering slow motion shots, that whilst beautiful, seemed to be just too long and too much an offering to the God of gongs for best cinematography.

Some of the pace, tension and intelligence seemed missing. Especially when compared to the stellar season 2.

A lot of money spent on location. Equally as much on production values. However, it seems like the series is waiting for Will to join the party.

Clearly the best episode so far, because it's about Hannibal lector ! The most fascinating character, there is not the boring will Graham and the endless nonsensical between characters. No jack no journalist no stupid Alana , this episode feel much more real and on the ground. Often the show seems to lost track with reality, this one is about Hannibal new life, makes us think about the incredible "Hannibal" movie 2002. Hannibal, florence, art , violence, cannibal. This is finally the version of Hannibal lector we know from the movie. He kills and talk. In season 1 and 2 he only was talking and talking forever with jack and Will.

9.25/10 episode, best in the show.